Partido State University (ParSU) reaffirms its commitment to responsive, future-ready higher education as its administrators participate in the 2026 Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Annual Convention and General Assembly happening from July 13 to 15 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City. 

The convention opened today with a keynote address from Senate President Hon. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who emphasized the vital role of transformative leadership and strategic governance in strengthening SUCs as catalysts of national development. His message underscores the need for higher education institutions to remain adaptive, innovative, and responsive to society's changing demands.

Leading the University's delegation are University President Dr. Arnel B. Zarcedo, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Michael A. Clores, and OIC- Vice President for Executive Operations and Institutional Development Engr. Kier P. Gasga. They are joined by Federation of Faculty Association of Partido State University Vice-President Jose S. Fernandez and other ParSU administrators representing the University's faculty and personnel in the three-day gathering centered on the theme, "Transformative Leadership and Strategic Governance: Empowering SUCs for Sustainable and Inclusive Futures."

Throughout the convention, university leaders will participate in discussions exploring strategies to enhance the quality, relevance, and global competitiveness of Philippine higher education. Sessions will focus on translating research into meaningful social and economic impact through stronger innovation, extension, and commercialization ecosystems; fostering collaborative leadership and strategic partnerships; and building organizational capacity to prepare SUCs for emerging challenges.

The conference will also highlight digital governance, strategic planning, and resource optimization as essential tools for improving institutional performance, providing ParSU with an opportunity to align its strategic directions with national higher education priorities, strengthen institutional governance, and adopt innovative practices to enhance instruction, research, extension, and administrative services. 

:  𝘋𝘳. 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘈. 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘔𝘳. 𝘙𝘦𝘺 𝘗𝘦ñ𝘢𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢

To strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure a coordinated emergency response across all campuses, Partido State University (ParSU) convened its University Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Unit for a Program and Action Planning Meeting on July 6, 2026, at the RDE Training Hall.

The meeting brought together DRRM coordinators and key university personnel to align institutional initiatives, clarify roles and responsibilities, and develop strategic actions that will enhance campus resilience. Participants reviewed the University's DRRM Framework, discussed the responsibilities of College and Unit DRRM Coordinators, presented the University DRRM Plan, formulated the DRRM Action Plan, established emergency communication and reporting protocols, and organized working committees to support program implementation.

By fostering collaboration and shared responsibility, the activity equips colleges and offices with a unified direction in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. It also reinforces the University's commitment to protecting the welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders through proactive planning and effective risk management.

The initiative forms part of ParSU's continuing efforts to build a safer, more resilient university community where preparedness is integrated into institutional operations and every campus is ready to respond to emergencies with confidence and coordination.

📸: 𝘔𝘩𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘢 (𝘊𝘗𝘙𝘖 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯)

Partido State University (ParSU) strengthened its commitment to advancing science, research, and innovation as University officials participated in the 48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) on July 8–9, 2026.

Leading the delegation was ParSU President Arnel B. Zarcedo, EDEL, who was recognized as the only State University and College (SUC) president in attendance. He was joined by Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael A. Clores, PhD, and Joshua Ivan Saliganan, Laboratory Custodian of the University's Microbiology Testing Laboratory. 

Saliganan presented the research paper, "Bacteriological and Physical Assessment of Household Water Storage Tanks in Naga City," co-authored by Allaysa Joy P. Comal and Liezel D.C. Atole-Nieva, MSc., RMicro. The study contributed to the conference's exchange of research-based solutions that promote public health and sustainable community development. 

Anchored on the theme, "UN SDGs: Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development," the two-day scientific meeting gathered experts, researchers, policymakers, and higher education leaders from across the country to exchange ideas and showcase science-driven solutions to pressing national and global challenges. Discussions underscored the vital role of collaboration and innovation in accelerating the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through its participation in the annual scientific meeting and sustained research collaborations, ParSU continues to strengthen its presence within the country's scientific community while advancing research, innovation, instruction, and extension initiatives that generate knowledge and solutions responsive to community needs and sustainable national development.

 📸: 𝘙𝘦𝘺 𝘗𝘦ñ𝘢𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢, 𝘋𝘳. 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘈. 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴

Demonstrating its commitment to regional innovation and inclusive development, Partido State University joined government agencies, local government units, industry stakeholders, and academic institutions in the Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting and the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of the Manual of Specifications for the Bikol Pili Geographical Indication (GI) held on June 29–30, 2026 at the DTI Regional Office V, Legazpi City. 

The initiative is led by the Department of Trade and Industry Region V (DTI-V) and brings together the provincial LGU partners of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate. Support agencies include the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDEV), and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL).    

Through the MOU, partner institutions formalized their commitment to develop a legally sound, scientifically credible, and socially inclusive framework that will protect the identity, quality, and authenticity of the renowned Bikol Pili. The initiative aims to strengthen market competitiveness, safeguard the region’s cultural heritage, and improve the livelihoods of local pili farmers and processors.

The TWG and MOU also include academic and research institutions such as Bicol University (BU), Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Partido State University (ParSU), Catanduanes State University (CatSU), Sorsogon State University (SorSU), Camarines Norte State College (CNSC), Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), and the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD).

Representing the producers, growers, processors, cooperatives, and traders are Orgullo Kan Bicol, Inc., Philippine Pili Industry League, Inc. (PHILPILI), Albay Pili and Cacao Industry Association, Inc. (APCIA), Socio-Economic Development Program Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEDP MPC), and the Association of Sorsogon Food Producers, Inc. (ASORFP).

ParSU’s participation highlights its role as a regional development partner that contributes research expertise, innovation, and community engagement to initiatives that create lasting impact. By supporting the establishment of the Bikol Pili Geographical Indication, the University helps promote value-added agriculture, protect indigenous knowledge, and expand economic opportunities for Bicolano communities.
The University’s involvement also reinforces its commitment to sustainable regional development by strengthening collaboration among the academe, government, industry, and local communities—ensuring that the Bikol Pili continues to serve as a source of pride, cultural identity, and inclusive growth for the Bicol Region.

📷: 𝘔𝘴. 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘢 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘪ñ𝘢